Setting Limits for Work

Do you bring your work home with you?

Your work/life balance is specific to you. Only you can decide how much of your time can be dedicated to your career without infringing on your personal time. Even if your job includes working from home, it is important to keep limits on how much energy you direct toward employment.

LIMITING SOCIAL TIME AT WORK

Not everyone has appropriate boundaries in the workplace. There are coworkers that use the workplace for their social time. There is no problem with enjoying your coworkers socially. It becomes a problem when their issues begin to hinder your effectiveness.

Relationships that eat up your day at work may lead to you bringing work home. Find what your balance is between satisfying work relationships and being successful at work.

Ask yourself—

• How much stress do you accumulate in your job?
• Do you worry about workplace relationships when you are at home?
• Do you find yourself brainstorming new projects for the office at home with your spouse?

The answers to these questions speak to how much energy you are directing to your career. Your career goals are important. Do you feel comfortable with the amount of emphasis is it playing in your life? The amount of stress you accumulate in your job will affect the rest of your time.

SCHEDULING

What is your work/life balance plan? If you feel your workload has become a main focus in your life, or are not sure, create a schedule. Fill in the schedule with all the activities you do in a week, including sleep and housework.

For most people housework does not constitute recreation time and should not be viewed as such. Housework is work. You work for yourself too.

If you are not comfortable with how your schedule looks, think about what it is that you would like to change. What are you willing to give up to add in more self focused time?

WHAT DOES YOUR CAREER SAY ABOUT YOU?

Nothing. Your career path is likely to change several times along the way.

A better question may be: How important is your career to your self-esteem? What you do is only one facet of who you are.

What are your life goals? Some people feel lost when they are not working toward a goal. Be sure that you are focusing your energy appropriately. Are your interests and hobbies receiving any time?

REDIRECTION

Create a plan to set limits for your work, and its intrusion into the rest of your life. If you are self-employed, it can be more challenging because you are the business. Set aside at least one day where you do no work. Use this time to reconnect with your circle and nurture yourself.

Setting limits on your work can be an awkward adjustment. If part of your self worth is tied to your employment, you are self-employed, or are working extra hours to get by, it may seem as if there isn’t enough time for yourself.

Finding the right work/life balance can be tricky and take practice, but in the end it is worth it—and then some. The higher your stress and the more you work, the less effective you will be overall. Partner with a life or business coach to help you strike the perfect balance.